Articles

The more we find out about the Iran nuclear deal, the worse it looks. Each new day Congress reviews this deal, we discover more information and more reasons why this deal is simply unacceptable: 1. Though the deal was originally being negotiated to keep Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, in its final form the agreement would allow just that when it sunsets in 10-15 years. 2. This deal will accelerate regional nuclear proliferation. Saudi leaders for instance have said that this deal is worse t...
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Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young today shared a message in celebration of Ted Stevens Day, the fourth Saturday in July: Congressman Young Shares Message in Celebration of Ted Stevens Day (click here to watch). “This is the 5th annual Ted Stevens Day, July 25th, 2015. Of course the theme is ‘get out and play’. God bless you all that live in Alaska. Ted feels the same way about it; too many of us stay inside our homes in the summer time, but he believed in getting out. “Ted and I we...
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Senators using budgets to put heat on administration, EPA BY ELWOOD BREHMER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE Alaska’s senators outlined their plans to continue to fight on resource and environment issues on which they say the Obama administration is overstepping its boundaries at the 40th annual Resource Development Council for Alaska meeting June 30. Sen. Dan Sullivan said Alaskans and the state’s congressional delegation need to “keep making and winning arguments for responsible resource developmen...
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Alaska shellfish hatcheries endangered by ocean acidification, study says By: Erica Martinson Alaska's first shellfish hatcheries could be its last, given the impact of growing ocean acidification, according to a new report published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. The research -- by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Alaska and a shellfish hatchery -- found that in 25 years, Alaska’s coastal waters may not be able to support shellfish hatcheries unless co...
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OPINION: A misnomer The Affordable Care Act is a misnomer. In Alaska health insurance companies — the ones not leaving the state or dropping their health insurance arm— predict premiums will increase between 24 and 38 percent on average in the next renewal period. That's after double digit increases in the most recent prior year. Alaskans can't afford ACC or Obamacare. While the intent of insuring the masses is admirable, it is the middle-class who are being asked to pay for it and at higher pri...
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Supreme Court upholds federal Obamacare subsidies By: Erica Martinson WASHINGTON -- Federal subsidies for federally-run health care markets -- like Alaska’s -- are legal, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Had the court ruled otherwise, more than 16,000 people in Alaska would have seen their premiums go up an estimated 520 percent. In a 6-3 vote in King v. Burwell, the Supreme Court said that Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies are available to all states. Sixteen states and the District of C...
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US Supreme Court Rules on Affordable Care Act Subsidies By Marissa Silver Anchorage, AK - The State of Alaska is breathing a sigh of relief Thursday as the US Supreme Court ruled six to three to uphold Burwell in the case of King vs Burwell, meaning.... "Alaskans that are receiving the premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act will be able to keep them and be able to continue to receive their insurance under the Affordable Care Act," said Lori Wing-Heier who is the Director of the Alaska...
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Congress at War The Capitol Hill ranks on why they enlisted and what it means now By Staff Elected office and military service have always been closely linked in American politics. But increasingly, when issues like sending troops to Syria or making deals with Iran come to the floor in Congress, they’re decided by a majority of members who have never served themselves. In the late 1970s, as the World War II generation reached the peak of its political power, nearly four out of five members of Co...
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Congress tackles issue of Puerto Rico’s status By: ANA RADELAT Washington – For the first time since the Republican Party took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, Congress will hold a hearing on Puerto Rico’s status. Wednesday's hearing, featuring witnesses representing all of Puerto Rico’s political parties, has been scheduled by Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, the head of the House Natural Resources subcommittee. It has authority over the five U.S. territories, including Puerto Ric...
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Alaska senators vote yes on trade authority bill By Erica Martinson WASHINGTON -- Alaska's all-Republican congressional delegation is not in agreement on the trade bill the U.S. Senate passed Wednesday: It is split down the middle of the Capitol dome. In the Senate, both Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan voted in favor of the House-initiated trade bill Wednesday. Both voted in favor of the bill in its first trip through the Senate last month, arguing it would be a boon for business in export-heavy...
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